American band cancels Sunrise appearance over controversial segment discussing Indigenous children

American band Portugal. The Man pulled out of a scheduled appearance on Channel Seven’s breakfast program Sunrise as a result of a March segment in which an all-white panel discussed removing Indigenous children from their families.

The Alaskan-based band, best known for their song ‘Feel It Still’ which won a Grammy earlier this year, claimed they didn’t want to be part of a show that ‘amplified’ problems around Indigenous disadvantage.

"We come from rural Alaska and hold very close to our hearts the Indigenous people of our home," the band said on Twitter.

“We were scheduled to appear on Sunrise tomorrow morning [Wednesday] but we have decided, as a band, that we do not want to be part of that show at this time. We come from rural Alaska and hold very close to our hearts the indigenous people of our home.

“While we are by no means experts in your countries history we know there are problems that, like ours, are yet to be resolved and only being amplified by the recent statements on Sunrise. Uncle Allen Madden will be welcoming us all to our show in Sydney tonight. Love and Respect.”

The band later tweeted out that Uncle Allen Madden did come on stage for their Tuesday show.

“Incredibly wise and very funny. We got a history lesson and shared the stage with an absolute legend,” they said.

(AAP)

A Seven spokesperson told nine.com.au they respected the band’s decision.

“Alaskan band Portugal. The Man advised on Tuesday evening they were cancelling their scheduled performance on Sunrise. We respect the band’s decision and wish them well on the remainder of their Australian tour,” the spokesperson said.

Seven faced widespread criticism for airing a segment in March featuring an all-white panel discussing removing Indigenous children from their families.

In the segment, commentator Prue MacSween suggested Indigenous children should be taken from their families “just like the first Stolen Generation”.

“Don’t worry about the people that would cry and hand wringing and say this would be another Stolen Generation. Just like the first Stolen Generation where a lot of people were taken because it was for their wellbeing… we need to do it again, perhaps,” she said.

The Indigenous community in Sydney took to the streets the day after the segment aired to protest the comments, marching to Seven’s CBD studio in Sydney’s Martin Place during the broadcast of Sunrise however the program chose to not air the protest, choosing instead to use stock footage of Martin Place after some protesters banged on the studio’s windows.

At the time Seven told media and marketing website Mumbrella the decision was to “ensure regulatory compliance”.

Seven spokesperson told Mumbrella: “We respect the right to protest as much as we respect the right of free speech.

“Some of the group were holding offensive signage and some began banging on the window and mouthing obscenities. To ensure regulatory compliance, and bearing in mind the potential for young children to be watching, the decision was made to utilise a generic backdrop.”

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge filed an official complaint about the segment to the Australian Communications and Media Authority on the day it aired.

Two weeks after the initial problematic segment aired, Arymtage’s co-host Dovid Koch hosted a follow up with three Indigenous experts offering their views.